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(Listen in on the live presentation of the award HERE)
By Robert Balajadia
The Guam Army National Guard Team of the Month for November belongs to none other than the Academy Cougars girls basketball team after going a perfect 13-0 with an average win margin of 20+ points.
Presenting the award was Lieutenant Colonel Ester Aguigui to the Cougars who are on pace for an incredible journey to the 2015 title that has eluded them since their last championship victory in 2012.
“It’s been a very special season. The love and support that the team has shown for each other has really been the difference in our success this year,” said Kali Benavente.
Playing without starting point guard Kali ‘Special K’ Benavente to start the year along with losing veteran guard Brittany Meno for the season could have presented troubles early on, but not for these Cougars.
Freshman standout Mia San Nicolas and talanted center Meghan Cruz controlled the front court and teams leading scorer Kiersten Pangelinan took the Cougars to a 4-0 record before getting Benavente back.
“I came into this season feeling a lot more confident. I guess a switch just flipped knowing that this is my final year and this is my last chance so that’s why I work so hard every game,” said Pangelinan.
Now with a healthy Kali, the team has really taken off by dismantling every opponent they’ve come up against.
“I’m absolutely nothing without my players,” said Cougars head coach Eddie Pelkey. “For them to all buy into something and for them to trust in each other has led to this special moment thus far. We’ve won in many different ways this year and we’ve had great leaders from the coaching staff to the administration. It’s been a very special season.”
Previous Army National Guard Team of the Month Winners
October – GW Geckos Girls Volleyball
September – Sanchez Sharks Cross Boys Country Team
